Indoor Producing of High-Resolution Images of the Commonly Viewed Exterior Surfaces of Vehicles, Each with the Same Background View

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is an apparatus and a process for producing and viewing through the internet high-resolution images of the commonly viewed exterior surfaces of a vehicle, while maintaining the same background view for multiple images of the vehicle. The background and the imaging device are revolved around a vehicle which is maintained in fixed position between the background and the imaging device. The vehicle does not need to be rotated or moved during the imaging.

RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to U.S. provisional patentapplication No. 61/311875, filed Mar 9, 2010.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to production and viewing, through the Internetand without image downloading or high band-width requirements, ofhigh-resolution images of the commonly viewed exterior surfaces of avehicle, while maintaining the same background view for multiple imagesof the vehicle.

BACKGROUND

In the used car market, views of the exterior of the car (but notusually the underside) are typically required by and provided to thebuyer before consummating a transaction. High resolution images showingsmall flaws and damage to the vehicle are preferred. One method ofmaking these images is to rotate the vehicle on a turntable and create aseries of images against a consistent background. The images can bedisplayed and viewed in a manner to generate a virtual 360 degree tourof the vehicle.

The two problems with this approach are that a turntable for a vehicleis a heavy, expensive and complex piece of equipment, and that highresolution images require long delays to download—or cannot bedownloaded and viewed by a potential vehicle purchaser withoutconsiderable bandwidth. An additional problem is that the uppermost sideof a vehicle is often not shown unless a robot for moving the imagingdevice is used. See FSI Viewer (Neptunelabs Gmbh).

SUMMARY

In a first aspect, the invention is a process of producing and viewingthrough the internet high-resolution images of the commonly viewedexterior surfaces of a vehicle, while maintaining the same backgroundview for multiple images of the vehicle. The images are stored on aserver accessible through the internet, and can be selectively zoomedand viewed, so that less bandwidth is required than if the entirety ofall the high-resolution images was accessible for each isolated viewthrough the internet.

This process involves producing multiple images of a vehicle (stillframe or video) by revolution of both an imaging device and a displayaround a vehicle which is in a fixed position between them, such that asthe imaging device captures multiple images of the vehicle, the displayis also captured in each of said images. The images are sufficientlypixilated such that damage to the vehicle exterior surface can be viewedwhen the images are displayed—or different views of the images may notshow all details, so as to avoid requirements for large data streams.The images are uploaded to a server and can be viewed remotely throughthe internet, without downloading of the images.

Another aspect of the invention is an apparatus for producing images ofthe commonly viewed exterior surfaces of a vehicle, while maintainingthe same background view for multiple images of the vehicle. Theapparatus includes an imaging device (producing still frame or video)and a display wherein the imaging device can be revolved around avehicle which is in a fixed position between them. The imaging deviceand the display revolve around the vehicle in the same direction and atthe same rate such that as the imaging device captures multiple imagesof the vehicle, the display is captured in each of said multiple images.The imaging device and the display are preferably wheeled and can belinked to ensure coordinated revolution, or otherwise timed tocoordinate their movement and maintain their relative positions.

The degree of arc followed by the display and the imaging device can beadjustable—for example, by using wheels which rotate on a vertical axisto control direction—or by using fixed wheels set to generate aparticular arc for the display and the dolly or carrier rack whichtransport the imaging device. The display and the dolly or carrier rackthemselves can also be arced, and can be composed of multiple sections,for easy transport. The dolly or carrier rack for the imaging device canalso carry other components including lighting (projecting towards thevehicle), a computer (to upload images), a seat for an operator, a drivemotor to power the revolution, a power source, an adjustable holder forthe imaging device (which may extend upwardly to allow capturing imagesof the uppermost side of the vehicle), and other components, e.g., atimer, digital compass or a travel sensor to control when images arecaptured.

Other aspects of the invention are shown in the drawings and describedin the Detailed Description below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a flow diagram showing the capture and viewing of vehicleimages as described herein over the internet from a server, withoutdownloading required for viewing.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a vehicle with an arced display carrier and anarced carrier for the imaging device and the lighting.

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of a vehicle with the display behind it.

FIG. 3A is an elevational view depicting a transparent display with thetruck behind it, and a screen on the upper portion of the display.

FIG. 4 is an elevational view of a vehicle with the arced carrier ofFIG. 2 behind it.

FIG. 5 is an elevational view of a display carrier with wheel directionadjustable to direct the display carrier through different arcs.

FIG. 5A is a side view of the display carrier of FIG. 5, showing thesupport for the display and the direction adjustment for the wheels.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the view of the wheels and axle of FIG.5A.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a motorized wheeled dolly (where the wheelscontrol direction) for carrying an operator, an imaging device (on atripod), a computer, lighting and other components.

FIG. 8 is an elevational view of the chassis and wheels of the dolly ofFIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is an elevational view of an arm with an imaging device attached

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a flow diagram depicting the capture and display ofhigh-resolution images of a vehicle through the internet, where theimages have the same background. The image files can be automaticallyuploaded to a server, after capture, and are retained on the server.Select images and select portions of the high-resolution images can beviewed on the internet, so as not to require excessive bandwidth forviewing, or image downloading from the server to the viewer's computer.FSI Viewer (Neptunelabs Gmbh) provides this type of capture and imagedisplay over the internet. Portions of particular images can beselectively zoomed to display them, so that the entirety of all portionsof all images is not streamed at the same instant. Other programs toaccomplish these ends may also be used.

Referring to FIG. 10, an arm 100 is shown arcing above a vehicle 10,where arm 100 has an imaging device 102 positioned to capture images ofthe uppermost surface of the vehicle. Device 102 can slide along arm 100to also capture images of the sides of vehicle 10, or device 102 can befixed to only capture the uppermost vehicle surface, and a separateimaging device (device 33 in FIGS. 2 and 3) can capture the sides ofvehicle 10. Device 102 can also be fixed elsewhere (such as to a beamjoining carriers 20 and 30) to allow viewing the uppermost part ofvehicle 10. The use of device 102 in this manner allows one to generatea simulated three-dimensional view of the vehicle 10, which can berotated through at least one axis during viewing to show differentportions of the exterior surface of the vehicle.

It is possible to view the images directly from the imaging device orfrom the server, or by downloading the images to a viewer's computer.For wide access for many viewers to the images, the arrangement in FIG.1 is preferred.

Referring to FIGS. 2 to 4, a vehicle 10 is centered between a backgrounddisplay carrier 20 and a carrier 30. Carrier 30 includes an imagingdevice 33 and lighting 34. Lighting 34 can be strobe lightingcoordinated to be on when each image is captured by device 33, or otherlighting. The capture of images can be timed or otherwise controlled tocreate a series of images showing the entire surface. Another method ofcontrolling image capture is using a digital compass 23 a or a travelsensor (FIG. 9) associated with the carrier 20 or 30, and therebycontrolling image capture as the carriers 20 and 30 move a predeterminedamount.

Both carriers 20 and 30 consist of five separate sections (21 a-21 e and31 a-31 e, respectively). Having multiple sections makes carriers 20 and30 more convenient to transport or store, following breaking them downinto the sections. More or fewer sections for carriers 20 and 30, or nosections, are also feasible. Each of the sections 21 a-21 e are equippedwith two pairs of wheels 22, on an axle 24, and each of the sections 31a-31 e are equipped with two pairs of wheels 32, on an axle 34.

The carriers 20 and 30 are arced as shown, and the wheels 22 and 32would normally be in fixed position with respect to the vertical axis,so that carriers 20 and 30 follow the path their arc's define as theyrevolve around vehicle 10 on wheels 22 and 32. However, it is possiblefor the aspect of wheels 22 and 32 to be adjustable so that carriers 20and 30 can follow different arced paths.

Arms 36 and 38 link the ends of carriers 20 and 30, so that they revolvetogether. Arms 36 and 38 should provide enough clearance to permitvehicle 10 to move in and out from its position between carriers 20 and30. Carriers 20 and 30 could also be linked with other arrangements,including one beam which is affixed to the ceiling, or carriers 20 and30 could be separately powered, provided their movement is coordinated.

In FIGS. 3 and 3A a screen 37 is shown partially in place over thevehicle 10 side of carrier 20. When screen 37 is fully lowered, itdisplays a desirable background for the vehicle 10 when its images arecaptured by imaging device 33. The background on the screen 37 can beany type, including a green screen.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a carrier 50 having a first set of wheels 52and a second set of wheels 54. At least one of the sets of wheels 52 or54 can be rotated with respect to the vertical axis (as shown for wheels52 in FIG. 6) to allow the carrier 50 to move on a variety of arcedpaths. Carrier 50 optionally has the same features as carrier 20, suchas multiple sections and a screen over one side displaying a background.Carrier 50 can be used with a dolly 70 shown in FIG. 7.

In FIG. 7, dolly 70 has three wheels, 72, 74 and 76, a tripod dockingstation 78 (where an adjustable imaging device docking station can beattached to the tripod). Wheels 74 and 76 can be rotated to the otherside of support 75 by rotating plates 74 a and 76 a through ½ turn, sothat dolly 70 can follow an arc in either direction. FIG. 7 shows acomputer docking station 81 for a computer, and a motor 85 or otherdrive unit. Batteries 87 are shown as well. Computer 81 a can uploadimages from device 33 or 102, automatically or under operator control,from where the images can be viewed or transferred to a server. It alsoshows a seat 89 for an operator, and foot pegs 91. FIG. 9 shows atelescoping tripod 93, to which an imaging device can be affixed. Theimaging device can be attached with a movable mount, so it can shoot ata variety of angles.

Motor 87 can drive the wheel 72 in either direction to cause revolutionof the dolly 70 about the vehicle (vehicle 10 in FIGS. 2 to 4) in eitherdirection. Dolly 70 can be linked to carrier 50, or carrier 50 can beindependent and have its own motor and movement control. In the casewhere dolly 70 and carrier 50 have their own motors, their relativepositions to each other and to the vehicle being imaged could bemaintained using electronic beams and receptors on dolly 70 and carrier50, which control the motors to maintain the beams and receptors inalignment. One could also use other methods of movement control i.e., adigital compass 23 a or a travel sensor.

Motor 87 or other motors on carrier 50 or dolly 70 can be electric, gasor diesel, and the dolly 70 can include a position to carry the energysource for motor 87, including a photovoltaic cell or a battery.

FIG. 9 shows an arm 100 for carrying an imaging device which can capturethe upper surfaces of vehicle 10. The imaging device 102 can slide upand down along arm 100 and also be locked into position along thesliding arc. Arm 100 would be attached to dolly 70 or the carriers 20 or30.

It should be understood that the terms and expressions used herein areexemplary only and not limiting, and that the scope of the invention isdefined only in the claims which follow, and includes all equivalents ofthe subject matter of the claims.

1. An apparatus for producing images of the commonly viewed exterior surfaces of a vehicle, while maintaining the same background view for multiple images of the vehicle, comprising: an imaging device, which is physically linked with a display, such that the imaging device and the display can be revolved around a vehicle which is in a fixed position between said imaging device and said display, and whereby, as a result of the physical linkage, the imaging device and the display revolve around the vehicle in the same direction and at the same rate such that as the imaging device captures multiple images of the vehicle, the display is captured in each of said multiple images.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the display includes a first wheeled chassis and the camera is mounted on a second wheeled chassis.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the wheels on the first and/or the second wheeled chassis rotate on an axis such that the arc the display and the imaging device follow during revolution can be altered.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the physical linkage is with at least one beam connecting: (i) the display with the imaging device, (ii) the first and the second wheeled chassis, or (iii) one or more support structures mounted on the first and/or the second wheeled chassis.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the lowest part of the beam is located is above the uppermost part of the vehicle, when the vehicle is in said fixed position.
 6. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the beam is affixed to a ceiling or a point above the uppermost part of the vehicle.
 7. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the beam includes an arm extending downwardly when the beam is in position, and designed to have the imaging device mounted thereon.
 8. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein a first beam connects a portion of a support structure mounted on the first wheeled chassis with an adjacent portion of a support structure mounted on a second wheeled chassis, and wherein a second beam connects a distal and different portion of the support structure mounted on the first wheeled chassis with an adjacent portion of the support structure mounted on the second wheeled chassis.
 9. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein one or more motors mounted on the first wheeled chassis and/or the second wheeled chassis drive one or more wheels on the first wheeled chassis and/or the second wheeled chassis.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the motors can drive the wheels in either direction to cause revolution of the imaging device and the display in either direction.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the capturing of images is timed or controlled.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein a digital compass or a travel sensor control when images are captured.
 13. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the wheels on the first and/or the second wheeled chassis rotate on an axis such that the arc the display and the imaging device follow during revolution can be altered.
 14. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the vehicle's wheels are resting on the same plane as the wheels of the first and the second wheeled chassis.
 15. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein a support structure carrying lights is mounted on the second wheeled chassis.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the lights face and illuminate the vehicle.
 17. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the lights are strobe lights which are on when the imaging device captures images.
 18. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein a support structure mounted on the second wheeled chassis includes an adjustable mount for the imaging device permitting the portions of the vehicle imaged to be altered.
 19. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein a support structure mounted on the second wheeled chassis includes an attachment for at least one additional imaging device designed to capture images of the uppermost surface of the vehicle.
 20. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the display is composed of a plurality of smaller sections.
 21. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the display includes the background view on the side thereof facing the imaging device.
 22. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the background view is a green screen.
 23. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the display is curved such that the imaging device captures a concave portion of the display.
 24. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the first wheeled chassis and/or the second wheeled chassis are curved.
 25. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein the curve in the first wheeled chassis and/or the second wheeled chassis defines their respective arcs of revolution.
 26. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the imaging device is a Canon 5D Mark II or a Canon 7D.
 27. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the images are automatically uploaded to a computer from the imaging device.
 28. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein the computer is mounted on the second wheeled chassis.
 29. The process of claim 1 wherein the vehicle is centered between the imaging device and the display. 